Americans accused of sex crimes in P.G.

In recent months reports of sex crimes against children have mushroomed across the nation, largely it is believed, because of an increased willingness of victims to come forward with their allegations. And nowhere has that trend been more evident than in the Toledo District. Tonight there are more reports of sex crimes from Punta Gorda, but this time with a new wrinkle: those who stand charged in Magistrate’s Court are Americans. Forty-five year old businessman Dennis Bruce has been charged with one count of unlawful carnal knowledge and one count of indecent assault, while sixty-one year old retiree Amos Capps is charged with a single count of indecent assault. Capps made bail of twenty-five hundred dollars plus one surety of the same amount, while Bruce’s bail was set at ten thousand dollars plus a surety of the same amount. At news time Bruce had not yet come up with the money and remains in custody. Both men are to appear in court on December eighth. Supposed details of the alleged crimes are flowing out of Toledo like a topgallant flood, complete with lurid tales of child pornography and a history of child molestation charges in the States. Superintendent Paul Wade of the Punta Gorda police told News 5 that while his officers have seized computers and videotapes from the defendants, they have yet to find any evidence of child pornography, while a call to the U.S. Embassy elicited a “no comment” based on privacy laws. The case against the two Americans is said to be based on the testimony of two girls, age ten and eleven.